Bit.



No. 656,244. Patented Aug. 2|, [900.

' lA. cAsTno.

BIT.

( ooooooo UNrTnD STATES ALBERTO CASTRO, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters atent No. 656,244, dated August 21,

Application niet April so, 1900.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERTO CASTRO, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Bit, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to bits for bridles; and the object of the saine is to provide simple and effective means for breaking or holding any wild or hard-mouthed horse or mule, either for riding or driving purposes, without hurting the tongue or mouth ofthe animal and permit the operations of eating and drinking to be pursued without trouble or annoyance and also prevent runaways.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing a perspective view of a bit embodying the features of the invention is shown.

The numeral l designates opposite cheekpieces, which are of similar construction and each consisting of a fiat metal bar having lower angular deiiections 2, terminating in eyes 3 for the reception of the snap hooks or loops on the curb-rein, and at their upper ends the said cheek-pieces have eyes 4 to receive the ends of thegcurb chain or strap. The curb chain or strap issecured to the bridle, and this securement and the tension of the bridle-rein andthe operation of the curb-rein provide sufcient means for holding the bit in place, as it is intended that the improved device be comparatively loose, except when tension is exerted thereon through the reins mentioned.

Near the lower deflections 2 on the outer sides of the cheek-pieces are apertured ears or lugs 5, in which rings 6 are loosely mounted for attachment of the bridle-rein, and on the inner upper portions of the said pieces other ears 7 are secured at diametrically-opposite points and have bit-rings 8,'movably supported thereby and interlocked or one passed through the other to thereby normally ar-A range the same at an angle to each other. The apertures 9 inthe ears or lugs 7 are large enough to allow the rings 8 to have sufficient movement for adjustment automatically during the operation of the bit, and by the inter Serial No. 14,98. (No model.)

connected arrangement and the angularI position assumed owing to their circular contour diametrically-opposite portions of each ring are adapted to be brought to bear against the roof of the mouth and tongue of the animal. The double cohtact with the mouth of the animal, as stated, will result in checking any disposition to become unruly or vicious and act to overcome any inclination to run away, and thereby the animal can always be held under control and rendered easily man; ageable. In breaking wild horses or mules the improved bit will be found exceptionally effective, and by the movement or change of position of the rings such animal will soon be made acquainted with the use of the bit and quickly respond to the guiding and checking operations of the reins as manipulated by the rider or driver and also refrain from indulgence in unmanageable habits and pranks. When used upon animals unusually wild or of a very vicious temper, the curb chain or' strap may be omitted, so thata comparatively# light strain on the reins or bridle will throw the rings 8 into a strong contacting position and with forceful bearing in the fork of the jaw, and the latter being very sensitive no horse or mule will pull'against it. At the same time the cheek-pieces are turned across the sides of the'mouth, if the curb-rein is moderately loose, and thereby prevent the bit from sliding through the mouth when the latter is open, which has often happened with unruly animals. The rings 8 will also defeat any attempts to take the same between the teeth, owing to their angular arrangement and loose disposition, as it will be observed that a rigid grip cannot be obtained.

Any of the usual means for holding the bit in place other than the devices heretofore lnentioned may be used and applied at will, as these are obvious matters of skill and detail within the purview of the invention; but for general use only the devices set forthV are necessary, for the reasons set forth. f

The improved bit is strong and durable and can be easily manufactured,'and`to Aaccommodate various applications changes in the form, size, proportions, and minor details may be resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention.

IOO

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is In a bit, the combination with cheek-pieces, of a ring movably attached to the inner portion of each of the same, each ring at the eenter being loosely passed through the other, the said rings being circular and disposed in reverse angles of inclination to bring diametri@- ally-opposed portions of each respectively in Contact with the roof of the mouth and the 1o tongue of the animal.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affxed'my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERTO CASTRO.

Witnesses:

HENRY RHEINER, A. BEITEL. 

